dietary treatment

[summer7799]

Is anyone treating their hep c with diet and supplements instead of doing the treatment with drugs?

[Revalation]

I think most people take the researched based medical route,

As many have mentioned a balanced diet is a good thing, but trying to cure Hep C with herbs ect. not such a good thing.

Reva

[neptune235]

I've not tried the "diet and supplement" approach.  But I have tried fairy dust.  

That did not work.

For me, I'll stick to science.

[Advocate1955]

Summer, I noticed that you were diagnosed Stage 2 Grade 2 in June of 2011.  Although it is generally true that fibrosis is a slowly progressing disease, I do want to share with you that my husband was diagnosed with f1-f2 in 2007 (by biopsy), treated and failed in 2007, and was then diagnosed with f4-Cirrhosis in 2010 (by biopsy), treated and failed in 2010 and treated and failed in 2011-2012.  Since it did seem like a lot of damage to occur in a short time span (3 years), the biopsy results from 2007 and 2010 were re-read and confirmed.  I just want to make the point that there is not a predictable linear progression of fibrosis.  Most of the time, progression occurs over years or decades.  However, in my husband's case, progression between stages occurred rather quickly.
Advocate1955

[orphanedhawk]

"As long as it is there your liver is being damage, whether you have 10 or a 1000000 virions. "

This isn't really true although viral load count does not equal the amount of liver damage.
Not everyone with hep C no matter what their viral load, gets liver damage.Some people live with the virus and never have any liver damage.
However once there is damage it will continue.
                                              ***
Summer: if you want to delay treatment I would strongly suggest drinking a minimum of 4 cups of coffee daily and do some research into turmeric and other supplements.
There is research supporting the theory that drinking coffee helps stop the replication of the virus.

When first diagnosed I went to an herbalist who is an MD. She told me nothing other than the meds would get rid of the virus. This is true.

Be aware that although we are all hopeful that the new meds will become available soon, it can take years. Your best bet may be to look into a clinical trial.

[Dannyboi7]

    Eating a liver friendly diet according to the level of your liver damage is a big step in the right direction.A GI can refer you to a dietician who specializes in folks with liver disease.

    I'm sensing you're in a conundrum, wether "to treat  or not to treat,tis the question,is it better..." .And your biggest fear are side effects.This is a legitimate concern that most people go through before starting treatment,other folks have no other choice but to start treatment.I'm also assuming given your level of liver damage your GI most have suggested you to do treatment.If she or he did,it would be the best advice to follow,for she or he would know all aspects of your case,such as genotype and ect.

                If you would start treatment right now,you got 2 good predictive factors going for you,your age and gender.Women under 40 have a high SVR percentage.

Best wishes

Dannyboi7

   From the little I know  

[Ironpony]

From what we understand there will be medications available that do not include Interferon as many new medications are currently being tested in trials,however it seems from everything read these may still be few years away.

As the others have said there is no diet or supplement that will get rid of the virus and some supplements may even be harmful to the liver.

Wishing the best for you.

:) Laura

[summer7799]

I'm at stage 2 grade 2. Last viral check was at 6 million. I'm trying diet for now. Hopefully something will come out soon without interferon.

[Dannyboi7]

  i never heard of anyone who iradicated the HCV using the alternative route.For the exception,many years ago former country music star Naomi Judd claimed to be virus free using diet and alternative medicines,but I'm uncertain if she still claims to be virus free.
  Always becareful of the "snake oil" salesmen who claim their products cures this and that or is beneficial for this or that,they make a lot of claims but don't have any hard evidence to back them up.Rule of thumb for me is if there is no reputable scientific studies to back there claims I don't go there.

   The Good News

The outstanding performance of the new drugs to treat hepatitis c can overshadow the importance of liver health; also an important weapon in your arsenal to fight liver disease. While on HCV therapy a healthy diet, staying hydrated and getting the proper rest are all of great importance. Liver health should remain a priority, even if you are not on treatment, or have just finished.


Studies have revealed that diet, coffee, foods or spices such as artichokes, blueberries, curcumin and turmeric could have a protective effect on the liver.

http://hepatitiscnewdrugs.blogspot.ca/2011/09/liver-health-and-wellness.html

[Dawn703]

Summer, you will never cure HCV with natural remedies, you may POTENTIALLY knock the viral load down, but so what. As long as it is there your liver is being damage, whether you have 10 or a 1000000 virions. I forget your status, but just know, if your liver damage is not bad, you can wait to treat with the newer drugs; they are less brutal and toxic. I understand your treatment apprehension, I go for the natural route as well as much as possible, but I know treatment was the only way to a potential cure. As jules has said, you may want to visit the alternative therapy forum for more info.

[jules2551]

Now Summer....you should know by now, as long as you have been on the forum, that the majority of us have gone the treatment route with scientific studies to back them up.

You might want to check out the Alternative Therapy forum if that is the direction you are heading.

Have a great day!
Jules